Locals Ready for Small Business Saturday

Event is intended to give back to the local economy, not national stores.

By ELVINA NAWAGUNATHE LEDGER

Published: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 11:25 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 11:25 p.m.

LAKELAND| As big box retailers gear up for Black Friday, small businesses are gearing up for their Small Business Saturday this weekend.

Facts

Polk has a large number of small businesses, and Decaminada of CFDC said they not only provide jobs but also give character and identity to the community. Spending locally isn't just about giving money to a particular business, but also to the community.

For those who value supporting local businesses, this is a day designated to celebrate small businesses by spending there.

"Being able to shop locally for your Christmas gifts and spending money in your local businesses gives money to your local businesses and gives back to the (local) economy," said Dawn Decaminada, certified business analyst at Polk County's Central Florida Development Council.

The day, she said, falls at a time when everybody is still in shopping mode.

In its third year now, Small Business Saturday was started by American Express.

"We were talking to a lot of small business owners coming down from the recession and we found that their biggest need was more customers," said Scott Krugman, spokesman for American Express. "If large businesses have Black Friday and online retailers have Cyber Monday, we thought it was important that small business owners have their own day for the holiday season."

Small businesses are a vital part of Florida's economy, creating four out of five new jobs in the state, according to the Florida Chamber of Commerce. When small businesses do well, Krugman said, everyone benefits.

Some Polk County businesses are prepping for the day with special offers, and some are extending hours on that day. Many are taking to social media to promote the day.

I Dream Eclectic, a vintage and antique vendor mall at 600 S. Combee Road in Lakeland will extend its hours till 8 p.m. from its normal Saturday hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mall owner Ramona Harris said every customer who brings in receipts from three other local businesses will be entered into a drawing for a $20 gift certificate. Vendors will be offering 10 percent to 75 percent off certain items and also give out door prizes. Every 15 minutes starting at 5 p.m., each of the vendors will also have a special "flash" sale.

"That money stays local. That money supports our local families and our local schools," Harris said. "We're all in this together."

The Shop at Polk Museum of Art near Lake Morton will offer 30 percent off all handbags on Small Business Saturday.

"We need the support instead of it going out to a national company, so that small business doors can stay open," said Terry Aulisio, retail manager at the Shop.

Downtown Lakeland Partnership, an organization made up of Lakeland businesses and individuals, is selling a holiday gift pack for $100 this Friday and Saturday only. The package – a $150 value – includes two VIP tickets to the Feb. 16 Craft Beer Festival in downtown Lakeland, two T-shirts, two lanyards and two tasting glasses.

"If you don't have local businesses, you don't have a local economy," said Ellen Simms, administrator for DLP. "We're encouraging people to think shopping local and to support local businesses."

Bartow Flowers and Gifts at 125 S. Central Ave. in Bartow is offering 10 percent off to any customer who goes in Saturday.

ProCare Cleaning Services, a residential and small office cleaning service in Lakeland is running special promotions Friday through Monday, such as $50 off one-time cleaning and $75 off any new weekly or biweekly service. This deal can be purchased through the company website: Procarecleaningfl.com.

"Our business is local; if we don't get local customers we don't exist," said owner Lindsey Semko.

"This is a weekend when everybody is out looking for deals and combing Facebook and the papers for deals and I think it's a great time for local small businesses to jump on that bandwagon and show people that it's not just at Walmart or Target that you can get great deals."

Terisa Glover, owner of The General Store at 125 S. Kentucky Ave., is hopeful that Small Business Saturday will create a mind-set among people to shop locally.

Shopping in her store, she said, would not only support her business, but also 58 local authors and 26 local artisans. While her business isn't doing anything different for the day, Glover said, she will be boycotting all big box stores that make employees work Thanksgiving Day.

"When you shop the big box stores, all profits are sent off. When you shop the local stores, those dollars all stay local," she said.

Other businesses that have signed up on shopsmall.com, a website set up by American Express for small business owners to promote themselves ,for Small Business Saturday, include Family Billiards in Winter Haven, Andy Thornal Co. in Winter Haven, the Gallery and Frame Shop in Lake Wales, Elegant Jewelers in Lake Wales and Pat-a-Cake Dolls in Mulberry.

Polk has a large number of small businesses, and Decaminada of CFDC said they not only provide jobs but also give character and identity to the community. Spending locally, she said, isn't just about giving money to a particular business on that day, but also to the community and it enables small businesses and local entrepreneurs to grow.

"Across the board there have been reports that people are spending more this year so hopefully that will trickle down to small businesses," Decaminada said.

"Any promotion that can be done for small businesses is good promotion."

[ Elvina Nawaguna can be reached at Elvina.Nawaguna@theledger.com or 802-7515. ]

<p>LAKELAND| As big box retailers gear up for Black Friday, small businesses are gearing up for their Small Business Saturday this weekend.</p><p>For those who value supporting local businesses, this is a day designated to celebrate small businesses by spending there.</p><p>"Being able to shop locally for your Christmas gifts and spending money in your local businesses gives money to your local businesses and gives back to the (local) economy," said Dawn Decaminada, certified business analyst at Polk County's Central Florida Development Council.</p><p>The day, she said, falls at a time when everybody is still in shopping mode.</p><p>In its third year now, Small Business Saturday was started by American Express.</p><p>"We were talking to a lot of small business owners coming down from the recession and we found that their biggest need was more customers," said Scott Krugman, spokesman for American Express. "If large businesses have Black Friday and online retailers have Cyber Monday, we thought it was important that small business owners have their own day for the holiday season."</p><p>Small businesses are a vital part of Florida's economy, creating four out of five new jobs in the state, according to the Florida Chamber of Commerce. When small businesses do well, Krugman said, everyone benefits.</p><p>Some Polk County businesses are prepping for the day with special offers, and some are extending hours on that day. Many are taking to social media to promote the day.</p><p>I Dream Eclectic, a vintage and antique vendor mall at 600 S. Combee Road in Lakeland will extend its hours till 8 p.m. from its normal Saturday hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.</p><p>Mall owner Ramona Harris said every customer who brings in receipts from three other local businesses will be entered into a drawing for a $20 gift certificate. Vendors will be offering 10 percent to 75 percent off certain items and also give out door prizes. Every 15 minutes starting at 5 p.m., each of the vendors will also have a special "flash" sale.</p><p>"That money stays local. That money supports our local families and our local schools," Harris said. "We're all in this together."</p><p>The Shop at Polk Museum of Art near Lake Morton will offer 30 percent off all handbags on Small Business Saturday.</p><p>"We need the support instead of it going out to a national company, so that small business doors can stay open," said Terry Aulisio, retail manager at the Shop.</p><p>Downtown Lakeland Partnership, an organization made up of Lakeland businesses and individuals, is selling a holiday gift pack for $100 this Friday and Saturday only. The package – a $150 value – includes two VIP tickets to the Feb. 16 Craft Beer Festival in downtown Lakeland, two T-shirts, two lanyards and two tasting glasses.</p><p>"If you don't have local businesses, you don't have a local economy," said Ellen Simms, administrator for DLP. "We're encouraging people to think shopping local and to support local businesses."</p><p>Bartow Flowers and Gifts at 125 S. Central Ave. in Bartow is offering 10 percent off to any customer who goes in Saturday.</p><p>ProCare Cleaning Services, a residential and small office cleaning service in Lakeland is running special promotions Friday through Monday, such as $50 off one-time cleaning and $75 off any new weekly or biweekly service. This deal can be purchased through the company website: Procarecleaningfl.com.</p><p>"Our business is local; if we don't get local customers we don't exist," said owner Lindsey Semko.</p><p>"This is a weekend when everybody is out looking for deals and combing Facebook and the papers for deals and I think it's a great time for local small businesses to jump on that bandwagon and show people that it's not just at Walmart or Target that you can get great deals."</p><p>Terisa Glover, owner of The General Store at 125 S. Kentucky Ave., is hopeful that Small Business Saturday will create a mind-set among people to shop locally.</p><p>Shopping in her store, she said, would not only support her business, but also 58 local authors and 26 local artisans. While her business isn't doing anything different for the day, Glover said, she will be boycotting all big box stores that make employees work Thanksgiving Day.</p><p>"When you shop the big box stores, all profits are sent off. When you shop the local stores, those dollars all stay local," she said.</p><p>Other businesses that have signed up on shopsmall.com, a website set up by American Express for small business owners to promote themselves ,for Small Business Saturday, include Family Billiards in Winter Haven, Andy Thornal Co. in Winter Haven, the Gallery and Frame Shop in Lake Wales, Elegant Jewelers in Lake Wales and Pat-a-Cake Dolls in Mulberry.</p><p>Polk has a large number of small businesses, and Decaminada of CFDC said they not only provide jobs but also give character and identity to the community. Spending locally, she said, isn't just about giving money to a particular business on that day, but also to the community and it enables small businesses and local entrepreneurs to grow.</p><p>"Across the board there have been reports that people are spending more this year so hopefully that will trickle down to small businesses," Decaminada said.</p><p>"Any promotion that can be done for small businesses is good promotion."</p><p> </p><p>[ Elvina Nawaguna can be reached at Elvina.Nawaguna@theledger.com or 802-7515. ]</p>